Dripless ice cube making and bagging tray

ABSTRACT

A flexible tray with partitions for the creation of ice cubes or other solids when frozen which is molded into the side of a flexible and waterproof bag having a (zip-lock)-like closure at one end.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an ice tray and, moreparticularly, to an ice tray which when filled with water will not dripwhile providing safe and sanitary ice storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] For almost a century the freezing of water for the purpose ofmaking ice has been a wet and undesirable experience at the least. Icetrays were first made of metal and then more modern versions were madeof molded plastic. No matter what the material used, there is the everpresent problem of getting the ice tray to the freezer without spillingthe water in the kitchen floor. These wet floors are not only dangerousbut unsanitary at best. After getting the ice tray into the freezeranother problem results when trying to remove the tray because the trayhas frozen itself to the freezer with the dripped water which ran to thebase of the tray as it was placed into the freezer. Sometimes peoplehave even had to use tools to free them or totally defrost the freezerto remove trays frozen to the structure of the freezer in this fashion.Another problem is encountered when the ice is removed from a tray. Manypeople have been injured by flying shards of ice hitting them in theeyes when ejecting ice from these trays. Finally, where does the ice gowhen ejected? Usually ice is dumped into a kitchen sink, a bowl, orother receptacle to keep the ice clean. Then each piece of ice has to behandled again to be placed into the desired container. The entireprocess is messy, unsanitary, and dangerous.

[0003] Other solutions in existence include U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,849Dickmeyer Apr. 3, 2001 There is disclosed herein an ice cube tray deviceparticularly for use on moving vehicles, such as boats and the like,comprising a top member having a plurality of cap like members attachedto the underside thereof. Also there is United States Patent D433, 691Cauley et al Nov. 14, 2000 an ornamental ice cube maker.

[0004] After thorough research in the USPTO Data base, it is clear thatwhile there are many ways to make ice, every single tray has thepotential for the spillage of water after filling. It is also clear thatnone of the patented solutions offer a storage solution that is sanitaryand easy to use.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to make ice cubes orother solid shapes.

[0006] It is another object of the invention to be fillable from one endto a prescribed point facilitating the usage of the correct amount ofwater for perfect filling of the tray.

[0007] It is another object of the invention to be sealable at one endin order to make the apparatus watertight therefore rendering itdripless.

[0008] It is another object of the invention to use the flexibleenclosure described as a storage area for loose cubes after freezing andejecting the ice shapes.

[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide the sanitary andsafe ejection of Ice cubes inside the bag preventing injury and disease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided atray with segmented partitions for the creation of ice solid shapes whenfrozen which is molded into the side of a flexible bag having a(zip-Lock)-like and watertight closure at one end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtainedby reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered inconjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a dripless ice cube makingand bagging tray; and

[0013]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a dripless ice cube making andbagging tray.

[0014] For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and componentswill bear the same designations and numbering throughout the FIGURES.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015]FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a dripless ice cube makingand bagging tray. In operation this flexible storage area 10 has tworoles. The first is to render the ice tray 12 dripless once theresealable opening 14 is closed. The second role is for the storage offrozen and ejected ice. Please note that there is a proper filling line16 designated on the side of the ice tray 12 so that when being filledthe user knows exactly how much water to fill the apparatus with for thecorrect formation of ice cubes by volume. This flexible storage area 10,ice tray 12, and all other components may be made of any material and inany color suitable for the use stated.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a dripless ice cube making andbagging ice tray 12. This view shows more specifically the placement ofthe ice tray 12 in the flexible storage area 10 and the resealableopening 14 at one end. This resealable opening 14 may be similar to thewell known “zip-lock” device common to plastic bag manufacturers but anyclosure sufficient for the task is acceptable. In operation the firststep for use is to open the flexible storage area 10 and hold it by theopen end so that the opening may be placed under the faucet or otherrunning water. The second step is to fill the flexible storage area 10to the correct level for proper Ice formation by filling up to and notfurther than the proper filling line 16 designated on the side of theapparatus. The third step is to close or seal the bag at the resealableopening 14. The fourth step is to lay the bag down in the freezer withthe ice tray 12 on the bottom and the flexible storage area 10 facingupwards. The fifth step is to allow the water to freeze. The sixth stepis to remove the ice tray 12 from the freezer and twist the apparatus atboth ends in an opposite direction ejecting the ice from the ice tray 12into the flexible storage area 10. The final step is to unseal or openthe bag at the resealable opening 14 and pour out the cubes into a glassor other container as desired.

[0017] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particularoperating requirements and environments will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to theexample chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes andmodifications which do not constitute departures from the true spiritand scope of this invention.

[0018] Having thus described the invention, what is desired to beprotected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dripless ice cube making and bagging tray forthe safe and sanitary creation of ice comprising: means for containmentof the water once filled and storage of the ice once formed and ejected;means for the creation of ice cubes or other solid shapes, cooperativelyattached to said means for containment of the water once filled andstorage of the ice once formed and ejected; and means for rendering theentire apparatus watertight and dripless, securely constructed to saidmeans for containment of the water once filled and storage of the iceonce formed and ejected.
 2. The dripless ice cube making and baggingtray in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for containment ofthe water once filled and storage of the ice once formed and ejectedcomprises a flexible storage area.
 3. The dripless ice cube making andbagging tray in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for thecreation of ice cubes or other solid shapes comprises an ice tray. 4.The dripless ice cube making and bagging tray in accordance with claim1, wherein said means for rendering the entire apparatus watertight anddripless comprises a resealable opening.
 5. A dripless ice cube makingand bagging tray for the safe and sanitary creation of ice comprising: aflexible storage area, for containment of the water once filled andstorage of the ice once formed and ejected; an ice tray, for thecreation of ice cubes or other solid shapes, cooperatively attached tosaid flexible storage area; and a resealable opening, for rendering theentire apparatus watertight and dripless, securely constructed to saidflexible storage area.
 6. The dripless ice cube making and bagging trayas recited in claim 5, further comprising: a proper filling line, forcorrectly filling the apparatus to the exact level needed for iceproduction, readably delineated to said flexible storage area.
 7. Adripless ice cube making and bagging tray for the safe and sanitarycreation of ice comprising: a flexible storage area, for containment ofthe water once filled and storage of the ice once formed and ejected; anice tray, for the creation of ice cubes or other solid shapes,cooperatively attached to said flexible storage area; a resealableopening, for rendering the entire apparatus watertight and dripless,securely constructed to said flexible storage area; and a proper fillingline, for correctly filling the apparatus to the exact level needed forice production, readably delineated to said flexible storage area.